Giant Pembrokeshire slurry lagoon gets approval

The lagoon at Velindre Farm will be able to hold 7,700 cubic metres of cattle slurry

Plans to build a slurry lagoon the size of three Olympic swimming pools has been approved by Pembrokeshire council.

The development near St Nicholas faced opposition from nearby residents.

They argued the lagoon would lead to odour issues and problems with flies and insects.

However, the council's planning committee agreed to the application after authority officers recommended approval.

The lagoon at Velindre Farm will be able to hold 7,700 cubic metres of cattle slurry.

It will stretch out over a two acre site (0.9 hectare), on the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

But planning officials said the lagoon was being built in a low field and "views from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park would be limited".

The council report also rejected claims the smell of the slurry lagoon would pose problems, stating it would remain "within acceptable odour limits for 98% of the time".

The slurry lagoon will meet the demands of an expanding dairy herd at the Pembrokeshire farm

A previous application by farmer Daniel Harries was rejected by the national park authority in January, but the latest application to the county council falls outside of the park area.

Mr Harries said the lagoon proposals were required to meet regulations as he expanded his dairy herd. Eventually, the farmer hopes to increase the herd to more than 800 cows.

He said: "Whilst we understand local concerns we welcome today's decision.

"The new slurry lagoon is modest in size compared to others being built across the country and will have no negative impact on people living nearby.

"As a family, we now look forward to carrying on with our work of producing food for our nation's dinner table."